O’Hare a hit for Sir Roger

AS Glasgow 2014 edges ever closer, two of Scotland’s brightest prospects of athletics success showed winning form yesterday.

Mail on Sunday columnist Chris O’Hare won the Westminster Mile in London, holding off Chris Warburton to win in four minutes and five seconds and lift the new Roger Bannister Trophy.

Bannister, celebrating the 60th anniversary of his landmark sub-four minute mile, was on hand to present the prize.

In Belgium, Lynsey Sharp all but booked her ticket for the Commonwealth Games as the European 800metres champion took victory at the Flanders Cup.

The 23-year-old, in only her fourth race since returning from injury, was forced to go for broke from the front when the promised pacemaker failed to show.

But she was rewarded with a time of 2:02.42, eight-hundredths of a second inside the Scotland qualifying standard for Glasgow.

James Campbell continued his comeback with fourth in the javelin at Bedford but must still chase a second Glasgow qualifier after delivering a best of 67.78m.

Derek Hawkins maintained his build-up to the Commonwealth marathon with second place in the Edinburgh 10k behind Australian Harry Summers, who finished four seconds clear in 31:09.

‘He caught me about the 8k mark and then just took off,’ the Scot said. ‘But I’m happy with my preparations. I ran part of the Commonwealth course on Thursday, so I knew I was going into this tired. But it was a good effort.’

Kenya’s David Toniok starts as favourite in today’s Edinburgh Marathon and is aiming for the course record. ‘I only found out what the best course time is when I arrived — but I think I can beat it,’ he said.

DAVID WEIR produced the fastest wheelchair mile in history yesterday — and has been tipped to go faster still by Sir Roger Bannister.

Sir Roger was at the top of The Mall in London to present Weir with his medal after he crossed the line in 3min 7sec — just short of the threeminute barrier he had targeted.

‘I think he’ll do it next year,’ said Sir Roger.